04/05/2022
NEWS STORY
Max Verstappen: "I think this weekend is going to be pretty crazy!
I'm looking forward to racing in Miami, I've driven the track on the simulator and we've practiced and prepared as much as we can without visiting the track in real life. I love racing in Austin so it's fun that we get to go to another state and race this year. It's exciting to see Formula One getting much bigger in the US, F1 and the teams are working hard to promote the sport in the US and we're having more and more races here, so step by step we are making it more popular. I also think it helps now the cars are finding it easier to follow and overtake each other and more teams are competing for wins, I think that's the most important thing for the fans. I hope that it's going to be an exciting weekend, Miami is a really nice city and I think it's a really interesting location to hold a Grand Prix, I think not only the drivers are excited, but the fans too."
Sergio Perez: "I am excited to be heading to Miami this week, it is great that the calendar is expanding more in America, which is a lot closer to home for me and one day I might end up living there! It is a great market for Formula One and I am sure there will be a lot of Latin Americans and Mexicans at the race, so hopefully I get a lot of support and it will be a very important race for the Team both on and off the track. These busier races are hard to manage but the Team do an incredible job at making sure Max and I can focus on our driving. I found the new circuit fun on the simulator and it can potentially be a good place for racing with those very long straights, I think choosing the right downforce level will be the biggest challenge for all the teams. I am now fighting for poles and podiums every week, which is great motivation to keep pushing and keep focus. I just want more week after week, and I am looking forward to seeing what we can do in Miami."
• Max achieved a 'grand slam' victory at Imola, winning the race from pole position, setting the fastest lap and leading from start-to-finish. It was only the 65th time it has been achieved in Formula 1's 72-year history, and the sixth time by a Red Bull driver (twice by Max, four times by Sebastian Vettel). Max also has the distinction of being the first driver to achieve a grand slam after winning a sprint, making his achievement truly unique!
• Not only are Oracle Red Bull Racing among the top qualifiers this year, they are also the fastest cars through the speed traps so far, with Checo quickest in the speed trap in every qualifying session at the opening four races.
• Oracle Red Bull Racing are the only team to have had both cars start in the top four at every Grand Prix in 2022. Checo already has as many top three starts this year as in all of last season (3).
• Hispanics and Latinos comprise over 70% of the population of Miami, with 35% of the populace being of Cuban origin, culturally centred around the 50,000-strong neighbourhood of Little Havana, located just to the west of downtown, meaning Checo will feel at home at the Miami GP.